Each winter, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
Coretta Scott King award-winning books can be recognized by a seal designed in 1974 by the internationally known artist Lev Mills, who at the time, was artist-in-residence at Atlanta University. It reflects both, Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr.'s philosophy and the ideals of the award.
The basic circle represents continuity in movement, resolving from one idea to another. Within the circle, is the image of an African American child reading a book. The five main religious symbols below the image of the child represent non-sectarianism. The superimposed pyramid symbolizes both strength and Atlanta University, the award's headquarters when the seal was designed. At the apex of the pyramid is the dove , symbol of peace. The rays shine toward peace and brotherhood.
The original seal for the winners were printed in bronze, which represented the earth tones of Mother Africa, and the seals for the honor book were printed in tones of silver. In the late 1990s, without a change in the design, the seals were produced in a more environmentally friendly format-a black background with character details superimposed in bronze for winners or in pewter for honor books.
Star and Crescent:
A symbol of Islam. Many nations with a Muslim majority display this symbol on its flags. This not a religious symbol but rather it is a national, cultural, political, military, or community symbol.
Om:
A symbol of Hinduism. The written form of the word is in Sanskrit, a language of India. The sound 'OM' is used repeatedly during meditation.
Latin Cross:
A symbol of Christianity; the cross upon which Jesus died; Christian emblem or badge.
Star of David:
A hexagram used as a symbol of Judaism.
Tao:
A symbol of China. Pronounced "Dow," it has the design of "Yang and Yin" (Dua lism); its purpose is to nourish balance in the universe.
Source: American Library Association (ala.org) & The Coretta Scott King Awards (1970 - 2014) 45th Anniversary Edition. Information provided by Lev T. Mills designer of the Coretta Scott King Award seal. 6/13/2002, published in Ask the ALA Librarian (Hawkins, Valerie. Ask the ALA Librarian. (blog) American Library Association, October 10, 2012. http:// americanlibrariesmagazine.org/ ask-ala-librarian/ corett a-scott -kin...)
Our Voice: Celebrating the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards
In February of 2019, Richland Library, in partnership with the Columbia Museum of Art, brought the largest collection of Coretta Scott King Illustrator Medal and Honor-winning art ever assembled to the Midlands.
Organized and toured by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Our Voice: Celebrating the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards brings to life the rich cultural legacy and heritage we all bring to the fabric of this nation, and celebrates 50 years of the American Library Association’s Coretta Scott King Book Awards.
